Allison Dampier, director of Advantages Online Private School , offers the following article on the benefits of utilizing online learning.
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Online learning gives students flexibility. They choose when, where, and to an extent, what they study. Online learning breaks away from standardization, centralization, and control. It gives control to the student. It fosters 21st Century skills, which are essential in our global economy. Online learning provides a more challenging environment because the student works at his/her own pace. In addition, online learning provides remediation because the student chooses the level and subject that need attention. The brick and mortar classroom is a one-size-fits-all model and it simply does not work for every student. Online learning provides an alternative for the students who do not fit in with the masses. Online learning provides individualization. “If we are not willing to be innovative and do things differently, we are going to have the competition pass us like we are sitting still,” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002). We must challenge process and question the status quo.
Research studies have been quite consistent in finding that distance-learning classrooms report similar effectiveness results as reported under traditional instruction methods. Furthermore, research studies often point out that student attitudes about distance learning are generally positive. The current generation of elementary, middle, and high school students embraces technology and all the advances it brings. The world they are a part of is becoming flat. The work force they will be a part of is global. The brick and mortar classrooms do not accommodate for our changing world.
No one is suggesting that a complete, overnight makeover is either possible or desirable. Start small. We need to make online courses available for students. Give them access and flexibility within the parameters of the bricks and mortar. By making available a few online courses, the problems of No Child Left Behind, AYP, and accountability, are minimized. It is time the leaders in the world of education begin thinking outside the box, or rather, outside the brick and mortar. In today’s environment, “if you want to be successful, doing things the same way just won’t get it done, period,” (Kouzes & Posner, 2002). We want to see individualization in a child’s education. We can use online courses to supplement or even replace the traditional educational environment. Online education can service numerous students, while continuing the one-on-one experience. A specific example how online education can help in Clark County is foreign language. Colleges in Nevada do not require a foreign language component; therefore, the high schools in do not require a foreign language for graduation. If a student wants to attend college outside of the state, he or she needs to take two years of electives to meet the other state’s requirements. This student is left without a well-rounded education, and has not been able to pursue any interests. Online education can offer either the foreign language component or numerous electives. These courses can be taken during summer school or concurrent with their traditional education. Online education is flexible and convenient, while maintaining academic integrity. It is time to think outside the brick and mortar and improve our educational system.
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Advantages Online Private School is the answer for students on the move. Offerings at Advantages include middle and high school curriculums that are aligned with national standards for college acceptance as well as test prep courses SAT, ACT, CaHSEE and Algebra Readiness. Advantages is accredited through Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), one of the six acknolwedged regional accreditation agencies in the United States.